Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
On May 11, 1975 — less than two weeks after the Vietnam War officially ended on April 30, 1975 — over 100,000 people gathered in Central Park's Sheep Meadow for the "War Is Over!" rally, which was organized as a final, victorious celebration for the anti-war movement.
This film captures the day's mixed emotions: relief, grief, and a sobering reminder from the stage that the struggle was far from over. Folk icon and activist Joan Baez performed alongside Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Peter Yarrow, Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon, Richie Havens, Patti Smith, and others. Baez closed with a message that still lands: "I hope that you're ready to fight and onward into the future."
Voices from the crowd reflect on Vietnam, Chile, and the American Indian Movement, driving home the message that the end of one war was simply the beginning of the next fight.
Subscribe to a THIRTEEN newsletter to stay informed: thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=tp_bhm&utm_id=2026_tp_bhm
This 1975 is a film from The 51st State that reported on the last anti-war rally in Central Park.
The 51st State was The WNET Group's answer to a city in crisis. In a decade defined by civil rights struggles, the Vietnam War, and economic freefall, New York City needed more than the nightly news could offer. The series was built to cover the specific local issues affecting the city — not the homogenized broadcast of commercial networks, but something rawer, closer to home, and entirely New York's own.
#JoanBaez #VietnamWar #CentralPark #WarIsOver #PhilOchs #PeteSeeger #AntiWar #NewYorkCity #Archives #THIRTEEN #NewYork
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For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thirteenwnet
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THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
On May 11, 1975 — less than two weeks after the Vietnam War officially ended on April 30, 1975 — over 100,000 people gathered in Central Park's Sheep Meadow for the "War Is Over!" rally, which was organized as a final, victorious celebration for the anti-war movement.
This film captures the day's mixed emotions: relief, grief, and a sobering reminder from the stage that the struggle was far from over. Folk icon and activist Joan Baez performed alongside Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Peter Yarrow, Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon, Richie Havens, Patti Smith, and others. Baez closed with a message that still lands: "I hope that you're ready to fight and onward into the future."
Voices from the crowd reflect on Vietnam, Chile, and the American Indian Movement, driving home the message that the end of one war was simply the beginning of the next fight.
Subscribe to a THIRTEEN newsletter to stay informed: thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=tp_bhm&utm_id=2026_tp_bhm
This 1975 is a film from The 51st State that reported on the last anti-war rally in Central Park.
The 51st State was The WNET Group's answer to a city in crisis. In a decade defined by civil rights struggles, the Vietnam War, and economic freefall, New York City needed more than the nightly news could offer. The series was built to cover the specific local issues affecting the city — not the homogenized broadcast of commercial networks, but something rawer, closer to home, and entirely New York's own.
#JoanBaez #VietnamWar #CentralPark #WarIsOver #PhilOchs #PeteSeeger #AntiWar #NewYorkCity #Archives #THIRTEEN #NewYork
Please SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed: youtube.com/@ThirteenWNET?sub_confirmation=1
For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thirteenwnet
Instagram: instagram.com/thirteenwnet
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thirteenwnet
-----------------
THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
